State officials approved the construction of a 60-bed nursing home in South Walton.

25 years ago — 1988

Plans for the VillaBayGardens retirement center behind Paradise Sports in South Walton fell through because “the land cost too much,” developers announced.

20 years ago — 1993

Former congressional candidate Barbara Rogers-Hendricks was elected president of the Walton County Taxpayers Association.

The future of south Walton County Emergency Medical Service paramedic Teresa Henry was being decided by the Walton County Grievance Committee after she said she was wrongfully dismissed for allegedly not responding promptly to a car accident.

Unemployment rates were down in OkaloosaCounty in October but up slightly in WaltonCounty from September.

10 years ago — 2003

Candace Herrick, owner of Candace & Company Décor just west of County Road 30A, was ordered by Code Enforcement to remove Frosty, the inflatable snowman, because he was in violation of Chapter 13 of the signage code.

While the number of drug arrests in WaltonCounty increased 57 percent since 2000, only one such case has resulted in a conviction by jury in that time period. Although the largest increase in felony charges related to manufacture and sale of methamphetamine, many walked out of court with only probation.

Mayor Mickey Marse of Freeport and the Walton County Economic Development Council announced the acquisition of a new industrial plant that will provide 100 new jobs in Freeport.

Russell Cottage in Rosemary Beach was named the 2003 Home of the Year in “Builder” magazine’s annual Builder’s Choice awards.